New York, New York, USA
2 days ago
Alumni Success Coach - Brooklyn

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

Uncommon Schools is deeply committed to ensuring that our graduates not only enroll in but also graduate from a four-year college or university. This commitment reflects our mission to support students to and through college, helping to close the college completion gap between economically disadvantaged students and their more affluent peers. 

Reporting to the Director of College Access & Success, the Alumni Success Coach (ASC) plays a critical role in helping our high school graduates achieve their post-secondary goals. In this unique position, ASCs are part of two teams: the cross-regional Alumni Support Team and their assigned high school team. As an ASC, you will provide academic, financial, and socioemotional coaching and programming, proactively respond to students’ evolving needs and potential risk factors to persistence, and connect alumni to relevant campus or local resources. You will also focus on building alumni independence in managing their post-secondary journey. 
Ideal candidates possess an owner’s mindset, a strong sense of responsibility for their caseload, and the ability to work autonomously while leveraging collaboration when needed. They are solutions-oriented, adaptable, and bring a “whatever it takes” attitude to supporting alumni through the complex realities of college persistence and completion.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Coaching  & Program Development 

Alumni Success Coaches (ASCs) work relentlessly to support Uncommon alumni in persisting through and graduating from a four-year college. This includes:Providing individualized academic advising, including guidance on selecting a major, building relationships with professors, developing strong study habits, and improving time management skillsCollaborating with each student to create a personalized academic plan that highlights their strengths, identifies areas for growth, and sets clear, achievable goals to drive progressMeeting students where they are and pushing them to take full advantage of their college experience, supporting both their academic and personal developmentConnecting students to key campus resources, such as academic support centers, writing labs, mental health services, study abroad programs, and advisement officesSupporting students through the re-enrollment or transfer process, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity in their academic journeyCollaborating with high schools by pushing into College Seminar classes and leading family workshops to introduce and explain the Alumni Support ProgramLeverage alumni data and postsecondary trends to inform and strengthen high school programming, advising practices, professional development and college counseling strategy

Building & Maintaining Relationships 

Strong, trust-based relationships are the foundation of effective alumni support. Alumni Success Coaches (ASCs) play a critical role in fostering meaningful and lasting connections with both alumni and key stakeholders by:Serving as the primary liaison between Uncommon Schools, its alumni, and college or university administratorsBuilding personal, professional relationships with a caseload of 300+ alumni throughout the school yearActing as a formal connector between alumni and key Uncommon stakeholders—including the Director of College Counseling (DoCC), school principals, and SPED coordinators—to ensure students receive the support they needPartnering with the college counseling team to ensure a smooth and successful handoff of graduating high school seniors into the alumni communityCollaborating closely with members of the regional Alumni Support Team to provide comprehensive and coordinated supportActively researching and building relationships with key contacts on assigned college campuses (e.g., deans, admissions and financial aid officers, retention and student affairs offices, etc.) to help remove barriers to student persistenceBeing accessible to alumni outside of traditional working hours, including evenings and weekends, to address urgent or time-sensitive concernsPlanning and executing seasonal events such as winter and spring alumni gatherings, and sending care packages to promote community and boost morale

Communication & Outreach

Alumni Success Coaches (ASCs) are relentless in their efforts to connect with and support every student on their caseload. They approach unresponsiveness not as a roadblock, but as a challenge to overcome with creativity, consistency, and care. ASCs do whatever it takes to engage alumni by:Utilizing all available communication methods—including in-person meetings, Zoom, phone calls, text messages, email, social media, and peer or family networks—to connect with 100% of their caseloadPersisting in outreach efforts even when students are unresponsive, adapting strategies and timelines until meaningful contact is made.Partnering with parents, families, and trusted adults when needed to help resolve enrollment, financial, or other barriersSharing timely updates with school leaders and relevant staff to ensure consistent, coordinated support across the alumni’s network

Caseload Management

Alumni Support Coach (ASCs) optimize and streamline the constant flow of alumni updates they receive by: Maintaining an up-to-date record of each interaction, obstacles, and academic progress in the alumni databaseManaging and reporting accurate post-secondary data of caseload to direct manager and assigned school teamContinually assessing the potential that alumni will complete college based on their academic, financial, socio-emotional and personal well-being; prioritize support for students at the greatest risk of stopping outUsing data to inform and manage their caseload priorities and to provide updates to school leadersEnsuring accurate contact information is maintained in databaseSending routine emails/text messages to all alumni with study tips, words of encouragement, opportunities and other relevant messagesContributing to network-wide alumni communication (e.g., alumni website and newsletter)

Administrative Duties

In addition to direct alumni support, Alumni Success Coaches (ASCs) are responsible for several key administrative tasks that support their effectiveness and alignment with school and regional priorities. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:Coordinating travel logistics for campus visits and school-based events, including booking transportation and accommodations, and reconciling corporate credit card charges or submitting all eligible receipts for reimbursement in a timely mannerSupporting the maintenance of social media platforms to promote alumni engagement, share updates, and celebrate student successesParticipating in regular check-ins with their manager, as well as their assigned high school principal and Director of College Counseling, to ensure strong alignment and collaboration across teams

QualificationsPassion for and alignment to the mission of Uncommon SchoolsDemonstrated college knowledge (e.g., college application process, financial aid process, general college knowledge and policies, etc.)Effective public relations and networking abilitiesStrong analytical and problem-solving skillsSelf-starter with strong prioritization skillsExcellent organization, time management, and tenacious follow-up skills; ability to prioritize and demonstrate an appropriate sense of urgency

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's Degree requiredMaster's Degree preferred

Experience Requirements

4+ years of professional work experience required2+ years of experience in working with students in a college advisement, college counseling or college enrollment capacity Demonstrated knowledge of the college application process, the Free Application for  Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the CSS Profile, and other pertinent college application and enrollment tasksDemonstrated knowledge of key academic and financial aid policies at the collegiate levelPreferred: 2+ years of experience working with students who are first generation and/or from an urban school district

Travel Requirements

Must be willing to travel via car, bus, train, and/or plane for up to 8 weeks a semester to visit alumni on their college campuses in the assigned caseload region.

 Other Requirements

Valid driver’s licensePersonal vehicle for travel (mileage for campus visit travel is reimbursed according to published IRS mileage rates)

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent. [same for all roles]

Compensation 

Compensation for this role is between $74,000 to $87,000. 

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. If you meet all job description requirements you will likely receive an offer of $78,300. 

Benefits

Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans403(b) retirement savings program + employer matchPaid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefitsPre-tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health saving accounts

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected]. 

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